Celebrating 20 Years of the Ard Dioplóma i Léiriú Teilifíse & na Meán
This year marks a significant milestone for the Ard Dioplóma i Léiriú Teilifíse & na Meán as the acclaimed television and media production programme celebrates its 20th anniversary.
To mark the occasion, a special anniversary event will take place on 20th April at the Nemeton TV studios, bringing together past graduates, industry partners, and current students to celebrate two decades of innovation, training, and achievement in the Irish media industry. The event will also be available to stream online, allowing alumni and industry colleagues from across Ireland and beyond to join the celebration. The Higher Diploma in Arts in Television and Media Production is delivered by South East Technological University (SETU Waterford) in association with Nemeton TV, one of Ireland’s leading production companies, and with the support and funding of Údarás na Gaeltachta since 2006. Running annually from September to May, the Level 8 programme has built a strong reputation as one of the most industry-focused courses of its kind in Ireland.
Irial Mac Murchú, the entrepreneurial CEO of Nemeton TV thanked Údarás na Gaeltachta for their invaluable ongoing support of the course: “Thosaíomar amach 20 bliain ó shin le tacaíocht ó Údarás na Gaeltacht agus comhpháirtíocht uathúil le Ollscoil Teicneolaíochta an Oirdheiscirt. What stands out in our rigorous training is that we prepare students to be industry ready.”
Susan Ní Churnáin ón Oifigeach Forbartha in Údáras na Gaeltachta: “Is mór againn a bheith luaite leis an togra seo agus a bheith in ann freastal agus tacú libh in aon slí agus an cúrsa seo ag dul ó neart go neart Bhí an obair ar chaighdeán an ard agus is léir gur bhain na mic léinn an sásamh as a bheith páirteach ann.”
Richard Hayes, VP for Strategy at SETU has supported the course since its inception. “There are bilingual directors, producers, editors and camerapeople all over Ireland now in the top production companies including Nemeton! We look forward to another 20 years of collaboration.”
Since its establishment, the course has been driven by a clear philosophy: that third-level education should be relevant, dynamic, and closely aligned with the needs of the industry. This approach has helped prepare graduates for successful careers across television and media production. Over the past two decades, the programme has produced directors, editors, producers, and technical specialists who have gone on to make significant contributions across the Irish and international media landscape. Graduates have also enjoyed notable success at the SMEDIA Awards, highlighting the strength of the training and creative talent emerging from the course.
The programme works closely with key industry partners including Nemeton TV, Údarás na Gaeltachta, Gréasán na Meán, TG4, and SETU Waterford, ensuring students gain practical, hands-on experience and direct insight into professional production environments. Alongside the flagship diploma, the programme also offers a range of specialised short courses designed to support skills development across the sector. These include training in camera work for sports broadcasting, directing and sound for outside broadcast productions, VT operations within OB trucks, and Transition Year introductions to filmmaking. A new course exploring the ethical use of AI within the media industry, sponsored by Gréasán na Meán, also reflects the programme’s commitment to staying at the forefront of technological and creative change.
As it celebrates 20 years, the Ard Dioplóma i Léiriú Teilifíse & na Meán continues to play a vital role in developing the next generation of media professionals in Ireland. The next course will commence in September, continuing the programme’s mission to equip students with the practical skills, industry insight, and creative confidence needed to thrive in modern television and media production.
